Fifth Annual MLK Jr. Step up Speak out Family Day of Service Slated for January 21

The Fifth Annual MLK Jr. Step up Speak out Family Day of Service, in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will take place on Saturday, January 21 on the campus of the College of Staten Island (CSI). The keynote speakers will be Charles Laganga, Community and Youth Activist and Vice President of Staten Island friends of Hospice Care, and Tracy Brown, Essence best selling author. 

View the Event Program »

Organizers chose this day “to restore Dr. King’s legacy of non-violence and to remember his dream for our youth, our community, and our future dreamers.” The Family Day of Service Summit is geared toward family members from age ten and up.

The Summit’s mission is to “educate, empower, enrich, and entertain our youth, families, and communities while teaching the importance of being involved in their community and promoting global citizenship. The Summit will provide an opportunity for youth and families to discuss and create solutions to critical and relevant topics that are plaguing our community, such as, violence, self-esteem, family structure, and positive community engagement.” 

There will be innovative and interactive workshops for youth and adults such as “If You Like It Put a Ring On It,” “From Gs to Gents,” “Love the Skin You’re in,” and more. The workshops will take place in classrooms throughout the CSI campus. The workshops for adults will focus on assisting them in navigating through the process of applying for financial aid and the college admission process, and assisting parents with understanding the new core standards of education in the NYC school system. The Health and Wellness Pavilion will also host a Bone Marrow Registry Drive, as well as the HHC Mobile Health Van for health screenings and registration for the Revlon Run for Life, as well the Staten Island University Hospital Adolescent Medicine and Child Health Plus to promote health and wellness. 

Guests will also be treated with a Celebrating Diversity Concert with performances by the Curtis HS Dance Company, Divine Essence, Fellowship Dancers, PS 22 Chorus, Pink Diamond Steppers, and much more. The event also includes a musical tribute to the late DJ Megatron, a dance tribute to the late Aniya Williams, and a fashion show presented by Glamorous Geeks and FashPhenomenon. There will also be special invited guests, wellness giveaways, and lunch to assure a fun and enlightening day for all. The Summit will be part of a Journey to Manhood video documentary directed by Young Talented & Gifted Productions and Moodswing Multimedia.

This event is a collaborative effort between, the College of Staten Island’s Liberty Partnerships Program, CSI College Success Initiative Learning by Teaching (CUNY-BMI), Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK Program, New York Urban League, and Young Talented & Gifted, along with local community businesses and organizations. Invitations have been sent to a wide range of youth serving groups. All youth, adults, and community are invited to attend.

The Summit is made possible, in part, by CSI’s Liberty Partnerships Program (NYSED), College Success Initiative Learning by Teaching (CUNY-BMI), the Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK Program Department, Health Plus, Seamen’s Society for Youth and Families, Staples, TD Bank, Young Talented and Gifted, Costco, and the New York Urban League Staten Island branch.

For more information call (718) 982-2352.